What on earth were you thinking, Nephew? What could possibly have possessed you to move there?

As the two “men” left and headed toward Sodom—on mission to investigate the outcry of her wickedness—Abraham knew his nephew was in an exceedingly grave predicament. Which is why he proceeded to barter with the Lord: “Will You stay Your hand if You find 50, no, 40-30-20, even 10 righteous?”

And that’s when I think Abraham—left alone now to gaze down into the valley where his nephew lived in Sodom—mouthed those desperate words to Lot. “Why, oh why, did you ever move there?”

What a fitful night it must have been. The next morning Abraham rose early and went to the rim of the mountains to peer into the valley. Thick, black smoke rose from the valley like the smoke of a furnace. Undoubtedly his heart sank. “Oh, Lot! Oh Lot! Oh Lot!” (He had no way of knowing Lot and his two daughters had escaped with just the shirts on their backs.)

There are places we just don’t belong. People who will do us and our family no good whatsoever. Environments fraught with the worst of dangers—risk to our very souls and the souls of those we love. What are we even doing there in the first place? Even if we ourselves escape, what will we have lost along the way? And will Moab and Ammon be our only legacy?

Does the sparkle and shine draw you into the valley?* Do the flashing lights and pulsating music have you pitching your tents facing Sodom?** In the fear of the Lord, ask for discernment about the choices you must make. After all—

What on earth could go wrong?***

* Genesis 13:10
** Genesis 13:12
*** Luke 17:32
Read the full story here: Genesis 18:16-19:38